The Day the Music Died

THIS MONTH'S SIGN

Libra / Balances

The seventh is always holy. The seventh day is Shabbat, the seventh
year is Shmitta. So too, the seventh month -- Tishrei -- is sanctified with more mitzvos
and Yomim Tovim than any other: Rosh Hashana; The Ten Days of Return;Yom Kippur; Succot; Shmini Atzeret; Shofar; Lulav; Etrog; Hadassim; Aravot; Succah;
etc.

The sign of the month of Tishrei - Libra is called in Hebrew Moznaim which
literally means "balances". It's not difficult to see the connection between the
symbol of the balances and the month of Tishrei, for the first day of Tishrei is Rosh
Hashana - a day when the future of the world and all its inhabitants literally hangs
in the balance.

The Rambam (Maimonides) writes that a person should see himself, and the whole world,
as being on a knife edge, precisely and exquisitely balanced - half meritorious and half
culpable. If he does one sin, he tips the balance of his own life and that of the whole
world to the negative side. However, with just one positive action, he can alter the
balance of his own life and that of the whole world to the side of blessing and life!

Articles may be distributed to another person intact without prior permission. We also encourage you to include this material in other publications, such as synagogue or school newsletters. Hardcopy or electronic. However, we ask that you contact us beforehand for permission in advance at ohr@ohr.edu and credit for the source as Ohr Somayach Institutions www.ohr.edu